State media reported that the incident involved an “ultra-light gyroplane” of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) during a combat mission in a border area.

The crash occurred in Sirkan, located in Sistan-Baluchistan province, and the deceased were identified as General Hamid Mazandarani, the commander of the Nineveh Brigade of Golestan province, and pilot Hamed Jandaghi.

Iran’s armed forces have been actively operating in the region since October 26, following an attack by Sunni Muslim militants that resulted in the deaths of 10 police officers.

During this operation, Iranian forces have reportedly killed several militants and arrested others.

Sistan-Baluchistan, one of Iran’s poorest provinces, borders Pakistan and Afghanistan and is home to a significant Baluch minority, which predominantly practices Sunni Islam, contrasting with Iran’s Shia majority.

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The province has a history of conflicts involving Iranian security forces, Baluch rebels, radical Sunni groups, and drug traffickers.

Helicopter accidents are uncommon in Iran, but a notable incident occurred previously when former president Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in May, which led to snap elections in the country.